Henry Altemus Company

Photographic Album

A new photographic album has been discovered. Although the copyright belongs to Henry Altemus 1888 it was actually published by the Lovell Manufacturing Company in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is unlike any Altemus album that I have seen. The copyright must stem from the use of Altemus' patented binding.

The history of the Lovell Manufacturing Company can be found at http://www.lovellplace.com/history.html in which the authors have written a great summary of the company.

The Album which is called Photo Art Gallery has 16 pages all 8 x 10. Each page can hold one cabinet card on the front and on the back. Surrounding the card on each side are the pictures of famous people in various areas of society. Each page is different and has 10 pictures. (See below) There is an index in the back which alphabetically lists all of the portraits. It does appear that each page has its own specialized area, That is, a presidents' page, an authors' page, a soldiers' page, etc.

The cover is made up of a red velvet material with embossed lettering on the front which says Photo Gallery.

This is indeed a very rare and special album.

Ephemera

This 1884 item printed by Altemus appears to be a promissory note. This "check" is different from previous ones seen as noted by the picture not present on others.

Ephemera

Here is an early check made out by an employee of Altemus & Co. Of interest is a reference seen which referred to J. S. Young and Altemus regarding an 1865 donation to Union causes.

Photographic Albums

Here is another advertising trade card for photographic albums. Its date is unclear since it was not found within a book or album.

Although it is similar to the card above, there are several differences. This card stresses the Hinge-Back nature of the albums with that phrase on both sides. The other card does not mention the Hinge-Back album.

These advertising cards are very scarce.

Non Series #109 Paul and Virginia

This flyer was found in non series book #28 Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. This book was published from 1890 to the late 1890's. The flyer is the same size (10.5 x 6) and of a similar style as the flyers previously described for the Dore's Masterpieces.http://henryaltemus.com/flyers/flyer-S78.htm

This one page advertisement advertises two different Paul and Virginia books that were published between 1891 and 1897. In 1898 the cheaper Paul and Virginia book was published at $1.50 and the $3.00 was discontinued.

As has been noted before, it is my belief that all the early non-series Altemus books were advertised using these flyers. Finding them is another matter.

Juvenile Series Ad- 1915 (Series #1-34)

This flyer has 4 panels and is 13 x 6.25. The side that has the book cover pictures is identical to the 1920 Series Book flyer. Based on the advertisements this pamphlet was published in 1915. The latest books listed are the 1915 College Girls Series and no other later books in that or any other series are seen.

Juvenile Series Advertisement #2- 1911- Series #1-34

This pamphlet has 6 panels per side and is 19.5 x 6. A number of 1911 are listed but no 1912 books. Thus the 1911 date. Also as can be noted, the 1910 flyer lists the series books at $1.00 each while by 1911 the price had come down to 50 cents.

Juvenile Series Advertisement #2a- 1911- Series #1-34

This pamphlet has 6 panels per side and is 19.5 x 6. A number of 1911 are listed but no 1912 books. Thus the 1911 date. Also as can be noted, the 1910 flyer lists the series books at $1.00 each while by 1911 the price had come down to 50 cents. This flyer differs from Series Advertisement #2 only at the bottom of the flyer where this one only says Cloth Illustrated as opposed to #2 which states- Handsomely illustrated and splendid....

Juvenile Series Ad - 1914 (Series #1-34)

This flyer has 4 panels and is 13 x 6.25. The side that has the book cover pictures is identical to the 1920 Series Book flyer. Based on the advertisements this pamphlet was published in 1914-1915. The latest books listed are the 1914 College Girls Series and no other later books in that or any other series are seen.

Juvenile Series Advertising Flyer- 1916- (Series #1-34)

This is another example of a 4 panel pamphlet that is 13 x 6.25.

This flyer differs from the 1914 and 1920 cover pictures aside in that underneath the boy exclaiming "An Altemus book...Oh Joy" is an advertisement for the Conquest of the United Series Series (a 1916 series). On the book title list side this pamphlet lists #6 in the College Girl's Series which was publshed in 1916. No later books are listed.